Sterling's shooting sparked protests in Baton Rouge and led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice

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Updated: 8:41 PM EDT May 1, 2017

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Alton Sterling shooting: Timeline and background

Sterling's shooting sparked protests in Baton Rouge and led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice

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Speculation has surfaced that a decision by the Justice Department could be imminent. State and local leaders have spoken out about the rumors, but no official word has been released by the U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions or the DOJ.

Here's a look at the timeline of the shooting:

The shooting was reported outside the Triple S Food Mart at Fairfields Avenue and North Foster Drive. Baton Rouge police said someone called just after 12:30 a.m. that day to report a man threatening someone with a gun outside the store.

Sterling was selling CDs outside the store when two Baton Rouge officers arrived to investigate the 911 call. The encounter escalated when Sterling and the officers got into a fight that left him on the ground. He was shot while the officers were on top of him.

Who are the officers?

Blane Salamoni, a four-year veteran of the Police Department, and Howie Lake II, a three-year veteran of the Police Department, were placed on administrative leave after the shooting.

The two had prior "use of force" complaints against them.

Baton Rouge police said Salamoni and Lake had body cameras, but they became dislodged during the fight with Sterling. While the cameras continued to record after becoming dislodged, officials said the footage was taken into evidence.

Video from the body cameras aren't the only pieces of evidence in the case. Two cellphone videos surfaced of the deadly encounter.

Cellphone videos:

The first cellphone video made public showed the two officers on top of Sterling with their guns drawn. Gunfire is heard shortly after the video begins and screams erupt from the background.

The second cellphone video shows the deadly encounter from another angle. The graphic video also shows Salamoni and Lake on top of Sterling, who is shot moments later. Sterling can be seen in the video with a blood stain on his chest.

One of the officers speaks into his radio while the other reaches into Sterling's pocket and removes an item. Baton Rouge police have said Sterling was armed when he was killed. One witness said the officer removed a gun from Sterling's pocket.

Who was Alton Sterling?

For some people in the community, Sterling was known as the man who sold CDs outside the Baton Rouge store where he was killed.

Abdullah Muflahi, the store owner, said Sterling was part of the Triple S family. He said he grew to know Sterling over the years and called him a "very good person."

Others said Sterling was known to help people in the neighborhood.

Sterling did have previous encounters with law enforcement. Records show he was charged in 2009 with carrying a weapon while in possession of a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty, served prison-time and went into drug treatment and work-release.

Cameron Sterling, Alton Sterling's son, spoke to the media a week after the shooting. He was joined by his mother and attorneys for the family.

He told supporters to protest in peace. He called his father a "good man."

Public outcry:

Tensions ran high in Baton Rouge in the days after the shooting.

Protests began in the city after the cellphone video was made public. The protests grew in Baton Rouge and resulted in the arrests of several people. Others held up signs and shouted "Black Lives Matter" or "No justice, no peace."

Charges for those who were arrested included obstruction of a highway, inciting a riot and disturbing the peace. Baton Rouge police were assisted by Louisiana State Police troopers and East Baton Rouge Parish deputies.

The protests happened outside the Triple S Food Mart, near the Baton Rouge Police Department, at City Hall and at the Louisiana State Capitol.

Baton Rouge police have been preparing for the possibility of new protests when the Department of Justice concludes its investigation.

Federal investigation:

U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana called on the Justice Department to investigate. Gov. John Bel Edwards called the shooting disturbing, but also called for peaceful protests.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is leading the Sterling investigation. No evidence has surfaced that the officers who responded to the convenience store were aware of Sterling's criminal history.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III recused his office from the case because he is a friend of Salamoni's family.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry took over the case, but said his office would not be given access to the federal investigation until a decision is made.

"The Louisiana Department of Justice trusts the federal government will prepare a full, fair, and thorough investigation in this matter; and we look forward to fulfilling our responsibilities upon completion of the investigation and receipt of the complete investigative materials," Landry said in July.